EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Feature Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Analysis On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government. Ehud Olmert Former Israeli prime minister
What it would cost Abbas to reconcile with Dahlan Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is being pressured by a group of Arab states to reconcile with former Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan and by Qatar not to do so. Qatar
Hamas looks to Algeria Algeria’s approval to open a Hamas office in the country may prompt regional and international pressure against it. Palestine
Increased demands from within Fatah to dismiss Hamdallah Tension prevailed over ties between some Fatah members and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, particularly since Ahmed Halawa was beaten to death by security forces in Nablus, which prompted many Fatah leaders to demand that Hamdallah be dismissed from his post. Palestine
Why Is Jordan refusing entry to Gaza Palestinians? More than 50,000 Gazans living in the West Bank are essentially trapped there, unable to cross into Jordan or go to Gaza. Palestine
Hamas, Fatah exchange accusations of threats to electoral candidates The Central Elections Commission and rights organizations have received several complaints of threats against electoral lists and candidates in the Palestinian territories, shattering the Palestinians’ hope for smooth local elections. Palestine
Is Fatah reconciliation underway ahead of local elections? Along with a number of Arab countries, Egypt has been making recent efforts to achieve reconciliation between President Mahmoud Abbas and dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan in conjunction with the Palestinian preparations for local elections. Palestine
How both Israel and Turkey exploit Gaza's suffering With the reconciliation agreement now signed between Israel and Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has practically forgotten his demands to lift the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip. Palestine
100 global intellectuals to gather in Palestine The Witness Center for Citizen’s Rights and Social Development launched an initiative to invite renowned thinkers from around the world to come to Palestine in support of the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Have Egypt-Hamas relations reached point of no return? Already-tenuous relations between Egypt and Hamas recently worsened with the release of a photo showing two of Hamas’ men who were abducted in Sinai a year ago in an Egyptian cell. Palestine
What are Netanyahu and Putin plotting? A rumored Israeli-Palestinian summit in Moscow may be a maneuver by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to try to thwart a new US initiative. Palestine
Can election observers boost confidence among Palestinian voters? The Palestinian Central Elections Commission is registering local and international monitors for October's municipal elections, a move favored by the Palestinian factions in light of the Fatah-Hamas division. Palestine
Will Palestine’s upcoming local elections be worth the cost? A lot of money is being poured into the local Palestinian elections, but some fear the funds will go to waste when the vote proves divisive and the results are contested. Palestine